Introduction
Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” is a genuinely iconic novel that has already become a subject of scholarly criticism worldwide. Among all the concepts that can be applied to this kind of analysis, a particularly interesting and famous one is the psychoanalytical tool for the problems revealed in the work. As part of the novel’s plot, readers can immerse themselves in the depths of the human psyche and explore the psychoanalytic framework evident in the protagonist. Uncovering the characters’ different points of view will allow the reader to unravel their complexity, and this may force one to look at the work’s psychological component in a new way. The protagonist’s personality can be examined through the psychoanalytic theories of Jung, Lacan, and Freud, each with a distinct view of psychology, whose perspectives will yield distinct conclusions about the work’s psychoanalytic concept.
Unconscious Fear and Character Desires from Freud’s Point of View
In “Frankenstein,” Victor Frankenstein’s creation of a monster can be considered from the perspective of the psychoanalytic concepts Freud studied. The Doctor was convinced that people often experience specific fears or desires rooted solely in childhood experiences (Niaz et al., 2019). When viewed from Freud’s psychoanalytic perspective, it can be concluded that Victor’s creation of a monster as a new creature may be a manifestation of childhood conflicts and traumas that the man could not let go of until he was an adult.
In the case of a character, this can be attributed to a subconscious desire to replace the role of father (Erle & Hendry, 2020). Victor’s fixation on power and creation can be viewed, from a psychoanalytic perspective, as a manifestation of a desire to resolve unresolved childhood conflicts (Harris, 2019). These desires closely coincide with Freud’s theories of how childhood experiences can affect adult behavior.
Victor’s behavior and words support the theory that his actions in the present reflect his earlier torture. For example, the character admits that he has always aspired to creativity, and this aspiration can be called obsessive. In one scene, the character states that “a new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their being to me” (Shelley, 2012, p. 58). The immersion in Victor’s psyche through views based on Freud’s concept reveals the relationship between the character’s actions and his unconscious, insane desires.
In addition to the concept of child conflict, theories of sexuality and love can also be applied to the situation of men. The creation of a new being attached to a companion stems from Victor’s desire for acceptance and emotional connection, indicating the character’s longing for companionship and intimacy (Harris, 2019). This statement is correlated with Freud’s conception of libido, as finding a partner is a spontaneous manifestation of the desire for love and the importance of social and sexual components in shaping human behavior.
Fighting for Individuality from Jung’s Point of View
From a Jungian perspective, the novel can be examined for its collective dimension. Jung argued that every man aspires to individuation, which he defined as the integration of the unconscious and conscious aspects of human thinking. In this case, Victor and the monster he created can be seen as two personifications of aspects of the psyche that are involved in the struggle for individuation. The creation of a being in the form of Frankenstein can be revealed as a human incarnation of a personality that reveals unconscious desires and seeks integration with consciousness (Sandbæk, 2021). The creature is constantly striving for self-knowledge, and Viktor, for the acquisition of forbidden knowledge, which corresponds to the Jungian concept.
The application of Jung’s concepts to the critical analysis of the narrative deepens the reader’s understanding of the novel’s symbolism and the role of each character, immersing the reader in a psychological journey through the story. For example, Victor can be compared to Prometheus, as he defied the divine order, showed arrogance, and created a new being in defiance of the laws of nature. At the same time, the Frankenstein monster is an outsider in the novel’s plot, embodying the novel’s lower, marginalized aspects of personality.
Identity of Characters from the Lacan Point of View
From a Lacanian perspective on psychoanalysis, we can examine the importance of language in the disclosure of identity in the novel “Frankenstein”. First of all, it is essential to note that the created creature has no social identity or name. The book explores the Other and the Self, and the difference between these two identities underscores the influence of language on human individuality.
In the Lacanian concept, language and social norms are the main factors that most strongly influence the construction of personality (Niaz et al., 2019). The struggle of the being for recognition in society reflects this concept, as in this context, the person seeks to maximize socialization within the community and find himself. In the case of the isolation of a being, it is possible to observe their inability to formulate their experience, which is further evidence of why language knowledge is essential from the point of view of psychoanalysis.
In addition to the above features of the Lacanian perspective, other essential features can help analyze psychoanalytic problems in the novel. One of the most important is the so-called mirror stage, in which the child first recognizes himself in the mirror, after which his integral identity is formed. Viewing this concept in the context of the story and Victor’s creation of the creature, one can perceive the character’s actions as a distorted mirror. The beast man created is asocial and harmful to society, and it lacks a cohesive identity that would allow it to become a full member of society. However, the protagonist must understand that he should fight his existence in isolation, as seen in the creature’s example.
Lacan’s psychoanalysis helps him better understand the struggle for identity and the power dynamics at play in the narrative. In addition, research into the influence of language and culture also has its own symbolism and echoes the concept of psychoanalysis. Victor could not accept the creature created by his own hands, which is also supported by fear of society and fear of the unknown.
In this case, it can be said that social norms strongly influence individual identity. The monster created by the man cannot orient in the symbolic component of life, which immediately makes him a hermit and a representative of the marginalized part of the population. Thus, the inability of the being to think and manifest its personality negatively affects the process of socialization.
Harmonious Combination of Concepts in the Novel
Although each concept allows us to draw separate conclusions about the influence of psychoanalysis on the novel’s perception, they harmoniously combine to provide the reader with the most accurate understanding of the plot of “Frankenstein”. Freudism reveals the essence of the hero’s subconscious desires and their influence on his life, Jung’s ideas allow us to explore the importance of individuation and its features, and Lacan’s concept reveals the influence of language on socialization and personality formation.
Victor slowly struggles with his unconscious desires, the desire for influence in society, and finding his identity, and these problems are harmoniously combined in one character. Thus, viewed through a psychoanalytic lens, one can see the multifaceted problems the character faces in the storyline. A holistic approach to analysis allows you to reflect on the psychological depth of the dictator’s personality and the complexity of the human psyche, which can sometimes push a person to take rather extraordinary actions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the psychoanalytic approach to the plot of Mary Shelley’s novel “Frankenstein” provides a deeper understanding of the characters’ problems and experiences. By delving deeper into the viewpoints of various psychoanalysts, including Freud, Jung, and Lacan, the novel’s protagonist, Victor Frankenstein, reveals the difficulties of the human psyche. This essay demonstrated the use of various psychological concepts and a critical analysis of the plot in light of each. This analysis shows the importance of psychoanalytic analysis for diversity in the study of literature and for the emergence of opportunities for unique interpretations of the plot.
While Freud’s conception reveals the motives that determine Victor’s further action, the Jungian view focuses on the revelation of man’s archaic nature. Lacan’s analysis shows the role of language in human life and the process of socialization and identity formation. Thus, the novel’s narrative, through all three concepts under consideration, is analyzed in terms of the sociocultural dimensions in which the protagonist’s identity is revealed.
By combining the different viewpoints put forward by psychoanalysts, it is possible to gain a complete understanding of Frankenstein’s personality, his personal problems, and the difficulties his creator faces in life. The novel draws on a wide range of psychological concepts, suggesting that it can be called an endless study of the human psyche and a valuable resource for analysis. The author of the novel created a mirror in the form of Victor, a reflection of the difficulties of the human psyche that every person can face. In this way, the work allows one to reflect on opposing unconscious desires and the eternal search for identity by examining one’s actions and living a whole life.
References
Erle, S., & Hendry, H. (2020). Monsters: interdisciplinary explorations in monstrosity. Palgrave Communications, 6(1).
Harris, K. (2019). Frankenstein’s fixations: A psychoanalytic evolutionary approach to childhood, sexuality, and outsiders. Ursidae: The Undergraduate Research Journal at the University of Northern Colorado, 7(2), 7.
Niaz, A., Stanikzai, S. M., & Sahibzada, J. (2019). Review of Freud’s psychoanalysis approach to literary studies. American International Journal of Social Science Research, 4(2), 35–44.
Sandbæk, L. (2021). The relationship between literature and psychoanalysis: reflections on object relations theory, researcher’s subjectivity, and transference in psychoanalytic literary criticism. The Scandinavian Psychoanalytic Review, 44(1–2), 27–37.
Shelley, M. (2012). Frankenstein. Penguin Classics.